THE RACES.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 296, 5 April 1877, Page 2

THE RACES.

THE NORTH OTAGO TURF CLUB MEETING. THIS DAY'S RUNNING. President W. J. Steward, Esq. Vice-Peksident ... Pi. Lumsden, Esq. Stewards : Hon. Pv. Campbell ; M. Studholme, A. M'Master A. H. M.aide, T H. Brown, W r . Alurcott, W. Gai diner, N. Fleming, and J. Booth, Ksqrs. Judge : N. Fleming, Esq. Starter : T.. Shalders, Esq. Clerk of the Course: I>. Smart, Esq. Clerk ov the Scales : G. P. Taylor, Esq. Hasdicapfer : M. Sherwin, Esq. Treasurer : Prank Robertson, Esq. The day has been a glorious one for horse-racing—a bright, clear sun shining, without being in the least unpleasantly warm. For day's past the weather has given promise of being fine, and that promise has been fulfilled to the utmost extent. A better day for out-door amusement and sports could not have been desired, and had the Stewards been able to order the weather to suit themselves they could not have improved upon that with which they have been blessed. From an early hour the town wa3 alive with people, all making preparations for a day's outing. Notwithstanding that special trains were run to the course, every kind of vehicle was pressed into service to carry people to the scene of the struggle between the best of New Zealand's racehorses. At an early hour numbers might have been seen making their way to the racecourse, anxious no doubt to get a good look at the various horses before the races commenced. Every vehicle leaving town was crowded, while many seemed to prefer doing the journey on foot. A large number of horsemen were also to Be seen on the road, winch presented a more lively appearance, we believe, than it has done on any previous occasion. The special trains, too, were crowded with passengers, thus giving ample proof of the wisdom of running trains to the course. Not only was this the case with regard to the special trains from Oamaru, but the early trains from Timaru and Maerewhenua were also crowded, bringing between them something like 150 people to the course. At noon the town was almost deserted, mostly all the business-places being closed, and those which were kept open appeared to be doing very little, everyone seeming on holiday-making bent. Arriving on the course all the usual sights to be met with on such occasions met our view. There were, of course, the usual refreshment booths, amongst which we noticed, under the Grand Stand, a large one devoted to the sale of the cup that both cheers and inebriates. This kept by Sir. Maitland, who had besides a large luncheon-room at the back for the stewards, which was t also greatly patronised by the general public. There were two temperance stalls—one belonging to Mr. G. W. Draper, and the other to Mr. S. Newey. All of these seemed to be doing good trades, people seeming de. termined that, although the pursuance of sport and pleasure were their intentions, the inner man was not to be neglected. A unicycle was also on the groundj and appeared to be reaping a pretty tolerable harvest. Lottery table 3 and other gentle-

manly means earj&ng an; "honest penny " were prVSs?^' \. and were freely patronised by a confiding public. Of course the bookmaking fraternity were in pretty strong force ; but although, they in loud tones offered to lay various odda upon the field, they did not appear to do much business, the odds in most cases being extremely short. People did not appear to have much faith in them, and contented themselves with little sweeps upon the different events. We must not omit to mention that Mrs. Schieblach, from Christchurch, had a little band on the ground, consistingof her children. One of these, a girl of about nine years, played a violin, a boy of eight another violin, and a girl of six beat the triangle, while Mrs. Schieblach played the guitar, the whole forming a very decent little band, whose efforts the public were not backward in acknowleding, shillings and sixpences being freely given to the tiny musicians. Of course the inevitable clog made his appearance on the course, and equally of course the unfortunate brute instead of. being allowed to gracefully retire to the real', was hooted at, and forced to maka his way across the course, his movements being hastened by the whip of the Clerk of the Course. The different officers of the Club were indefatigable in their efforts to make the meeting pass off successful, and are deserving of a word of praise for the manner in which they ful" filled their various duties. A detachment of police, under the charge of Sergeant O'Neill, were present, but their services did not seem to be much required, the crowd present being a most orderly one i in fact we did not hear of any disturbance whatever taking place. '-.•„ And now for a description of the racing events of the day. The first race on the programme was the Maiden Plate, which was advertised to take place, at twelve o'clock, but it was nearly half-past before a start was made. At this time there must have been nearly people present. This number was greatly augmented during the next hour, and by the time the big race of the day_tbe N.O. Turf Club Handicapwas started there must. have been fully 2000, on the ground. The whole of the horses entered for the Maiden Plate came to the post, but very little interest seemed to be centred in it, the event being looked upon as a gift to Titania. The result proved that this view of the master was not far wrong, as the filly wxm,vas she liked, Duntroon being Nell third. The Selling Race-drought six to the post out of the — Kathleen not putting though no intimation had been received of her owner's intention to scratch her. The race was a capital one, all the horses, except Lyndon, being at one time in a cluster. Eventually, however, the raca resolved itself into a struggle between Miss Elswick and Steamer, the latter being landed a winner by about a length. A protest having been lodged against him and sustained by the stewards, Miss Elswick was awarded the stakes. Great disappointment was manifested at the scratching of Fishhook for the North Otago Turf Club Handicap, the list of horses being thus reduced to two —Guy. Fawkes and Templeton. A capital race, however, took place, and considerable excitement was exhibited—first one and then the other being loudly proclaimed as the prospective winner, and although Guy Fawkes made the pace a pretty hot one, he was unable to throw off his opponent. Templeton's superior condition, however, told its- tale, for although the whip was pretty freely used by Guy's rider, Mr. Redwood's horse was.unable to keep up the pace, aud Te.riipleton won a capital race by about a length. Mr. Delamain's second victory was loudly cheered ; and well it might be, for never was. a horse brought on to the course better fitted to run for any stake*. The Hack Race was awarded to Trooper. The Tradesmen's Handicap was the last item on the day's programme, and was won by Titania, Guy Fawkes being second, and Rob Roy third. ' The following is a detailed account o the day's racing : MAIDEN PLATE. Mr. F. W. Delamain's Titania, 3 yrs, 7st. 111b. (E. Rowlands) „1_ Hon. Robert Campbell's .Duntroon, 9st. 61b • (A.M'Ksy) 2 Mr. Richmond's Little Nell, 9st. 31b. (J. Lane) 3 Little Nell carried 21b. overweight, Rolling York, 181b. ; and Duntroon, 31b. Betting : Level money about Titania, 3 to ] any other. The lot got away to a. very indifferent • start. Rolling York jibbed at the postand on passing the Stand cut acrossthe course. The" favourite the lead at the back of the course ancTwras never caught, winning as she liked'jj-Dun-troon coming in second, abo^ieight

1 jH;,..;.. . in "ihe rear. Time, 2wnn. .-acr t.CN'H fcAt.'B. JV v\\ Swacsnn'.-i 1» g Steamf*. -t yrs. ■ f "|t*:il'i •■■ (*'"• Allan) * H, W M* Kay's «'• k Mfsa Klswiofc 3 yrs ■ (iia)) ... .- (W.M*Kay..»un.> 2 I Betting'. Level money to AFrrt and ■k«>»mnrT 2 to t against Miss Efswiek, ■fal»h' lic > Merry Monareh, and 'Lyndon ; V tl , t against Idle Girl ; 4 to 1 against ■ Kathleen did not put in an appearand, Bionu'h no notification had been received B tlit owner's intention! of scratching iicr. K)c< other six all came to the p*>**'b r and a ■ery fair start was effected. Miss ■Jlawiclc took the lead at the jutup. ■ten met* lying fourth, and" Lyndon East. Kt the back of the course the whole Hf tlio tiorses except '.Lyndon were all n cluster, Miss, .Etswictc stitt main•linin" a slight lead. Steamer then began ■„ ~o np to the rdly, and on renelung ho 'turn into the straight, a splendid race maned between those- two. Steamer was ivnilml thu winner by about a neck, Miss BJswick being second, and MataF>ar third n',nic! lengths behind. A protest was enfruit .'i-rainst Steamer by the owner of ,j>s Elswiek, on the ground of having xmt'fl. Th*; stt wards at once considered he protest, and the eomptaint being suaiiini! I, the stakes were awarded to' Miss jhswick who war. put up fop auction by \l<: Fleinhig, and bought in by her otiut •m-'La;). Noirrtr otauo- ttmip rtcn \p Mi' F Petamaui's l> h Templeten. '<>yr-. y-'t. 4II> . . (I'i. t.'owtanl) I Jfi'. Redwood's blfc h Ony Fawkes. o yrs, ' fj.fc. IDlbs (A. Tybud) "J Fish on k was scratched. I Belting. level money about. TernpU ton. J \ Fair start was ehV'ted, Orry Faawkes Letting a slight advantag'\ and at one!) lissumcd tV> ji-ad. Ti-r.ndeton, however. Lms not to bo denied, and on coining into (straight the first time round. began to Creep np to (fuy, and shir ly after parsing the stand the two were on level 1-u'iiiM. Tlie.v fcli'Ti r.aaed uci-k ,-vid neck f>r some time, but at thu hack of the fcnniwi Tenipl'c:ton ivmin away about a DtMigtli in adva ice oF liis opponent. This finaiti >n he nriintaine!"d, for alt !| i)ii;;'i f.'.e [whip was moil pn-tty freely to-finy before. pntaring t'ie straight, he wns urial'U; to bet on vqm\\ terms with Tenioh ton, wF;o won a very good race by about a length. Time —»liuin. ")()sec. THE. KAI'K RAtiR. [was easily won by Sir William, with 'Litlio Nell second, a protest lieing enti red ami sustained, against the three fust. The stakes were awarded fco> Trooper. TIIAPKSMEN'-S' liX Mt>tl'Ar. Mr. F. VV. Ptdamams fcrt'Titania.. :ivrn lUb. 11)H> (M'Tini-e) I Mr. Redwood's bile I'i Hity Fawkt-s. •"> yrs, '•■■ 1011. (A. lyfonl) '2 Mr. ■ .h-vcu.-v.V !..• h Uol. r.'ov.. 5 vrs. I ... [lt. Itourby) ." ■} .\ ; i!n;;-«! ,i,r. -,.y with the lead, bur. fj-ir. -.>■■;! •■ .r.vreil Uiiu, and they rac >d toi • ; f. ■■• .' liir! while, when, Titania wr ■• .■■••■•'.•'. !•<• i''e creeping up, she ev ■'- iv i.ixie; the tead. and winning a ~"''.; t ';'■''• r.i.e just as she tiked, **uy being second two lengtha away, and [lob Rev a bail third. Time - tin in. oOsocs.